Transmission Mount for 1981 Chevrolet K30 Custom

A transmission mount supports your Chevrolet K30's transmission, resists its twist under torque, and isolates its vibration from the cabin. Nolathane transmission mounts and mount bushing kits suit rear-wheel-drive, front-wheel-drive, all-wheel-drive and 4WD vehicles. They?re the parts to reach for when a transmission mount replacement is due.

A worn mount lets the transmission move more than it should, which shows up as clunks, thuds and vibration. Replacing it restores firm, quiet support. Each listing shows the type, position and vehicle fitment.

The Job of a Chevrolet K30 Transmission Mount

A transmission mount has three jobs:

• Carry weight. The engine and transmission are supported as one unit, and the transmission mount carries part of that weight.
• Resist twist. When you accelerate or use engine braking, the drivetrain twists in reaction to the torque. The mount limits that twist.
• Filter vibration. The mount stops drivetrain vibration from reaching the floor and the cabin.

When the mount?s rubber softens or tears, it can?t do any of these jobs well.

Transmission Mounts on RWD and FWD Vehicles

Rear Transmission Mounts on RWD and 4WD

On rear-wheel-drive and 4WD vehicles, the transmission sits lengthwise, with a rear transmission mount bolted between the transmission?s tail and a crossmember. This one mount carries the back of the drivetrain and controls its twist.

Transmission-Side Mounts on FWD and AWD

On front-wheel-drive and many all-wheel-drive vehicles, the engine and transmission sit across the engine bay. Several mounts work together, with one on the transmission side, one on the engine side and a torque mount. Each mount affects the others, so a worn one quickly puts more load on the rest.

Bad Transmission Mount Symptoms on Your Chevrolet K30

Common transmission mount symptoms include:

• A clunk or jolt when shifting into drive or reverse
• A thud when you get on and off the throttle
• Vibration through the floor or the transmission tunnel
• The transmission visibly lifting or shifting under load
• Contact marks where the exhaust or driveshaft has hit nearby parts
• Cracked, collapsed or separated rubber in the mount

The clunk into gear is the most common sign, because the drivetrain moves through the free play in the worn mount before the mount takes up the load.

Checking a Chevrolet K30 Transmission Mount

Start with a visual inspection, with your Chevrolet K30 safely supported. Look for cracked or separated rubber, a mount that has sagged, and fluid soaking the rubber.

Next, use a pry bar to gently lever the transmission near the mount. A sound mount allows only a small amount of movement. Excess movement, or the rubber pulling away from the metal, means the mount is worn.

You can also check the mount with a helper. With the wheels chocked, the brakes firmly applied, and nobody standing in front of or behind the vehicle, the helper briefly shifts between drive and reverse while you watch the transmission. A worn mount lets the transmission jump noticeably.

Similar symptoms can come from worn engine mounts or worn U-joints. Check them at the same time, so you replace the right part.

Chevrolet K30 Complete Mounts and Bushing Kits

Each listing shows the type.

Complete Transmission Mount Assemblies

A complete mount assembly replaces the whole mount: the metal shell and the bushing. It?s the right choice when the shell is bent, rusted or damaged.

Transmission Mount Bushing Kits

Transmission mount bushing kits fit into the existing mount shell. If the shell is sound, a bushing kit restores the mount without replacing the metal.

High-Performance Transmission Mounts

High-performance trans mount assemblies use firmer bushings to control the drivetrain more tightly. They suit vehicles with more power, or drivers who want a more direct feel and will accept more vibration.

Rubber and Polyurethane Transmission Mounts for the Chevrolet K30

Rubber mounts are soft and quiet when new. But heat from the exhaust and leaking oil break rubber down over time, until it cracks, sags or separates.

Polyurethane is firmer, so it locates the transmission more precisely and limits twist under torque. It resists oil and holds its shape much longer than rubber. Nolathane chooses the durometer (hardness) to balance location against comfort.

Polyurethane does pass more vibration into the cabin than rubber, especially at idle. That?s the trade-off for firmer control.

Chevrolet K30 Transmission Mount Replacement

• Support the transmission with a jack and a wood block, to spread the load
• Remove the crossmember bolts if needed for access
• Swap the mount, or fit the bushing kit into the existing shell
• Torque all fasteners to specification
• Check the driveshaft angle and the clearance to the exhaust and shift linkage
• Replace the engine mounts at the same time if they?re worn

Qualified fitting is recommended.

Chevrolet K30 Transmission Mount Limitations and Trade-Offs

• Firmer mounts pass more vibration and noise into the cabin
• A new mount can?t fix internal transmission faults, worn U-joints or CV joints, or worn engine mounts
• Bushing kits rely on a sound mount shell

Compliance and Insurance

Make sure your Chevrolet K30 meets the inspection requirements of the state where it?s registered, and tell your insurance company about any modifications.

Warranty and Support

Nolathane polyurethane bushings and pads carry a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects in material and workmanship, for the original vehicle. Complete and high-performance mount assemblies are backed by Nolathane?s warranty. If you need help finding the right mount, our local support team can help.

Shop Transmission Mounts for Your Chevrolet K30

Engine movement loads the transmission mount too, so check the engine mount bushings while you're under there. Mounts are listed in our transmission parts selection.

Find the right transmission mount or bushing kit for your Chevrolet K30, and order online with fast shipping on in-stock items. Every part is covered by our fitment guarantee.